Crews roll out large coils that will be used to keep the Coca-Cola Family Ice Rink at zMAX Dragway frozen throughout the holiday season. The rink will be open to the public Nov.16-Jan. 21.
CMS/Jonathan Coleman Photo

Sharpen your skates! The newest addition to Speedway Christmas is sure to bring plenty of thrills, chills and spills as visitors glide around the Coca-Cola Family Ice Rink at zMAX Dragway.

“Whether you’re bringing out the family for a night of fun or you want to do something memorable for your office Christmas party, the Coca-Cola Family Ice Rink is a can’t-miss experience,” said Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway. “Combined with a trip through the Speedway Christmas light show and Christmas village, skating at the ice rink is sure to create many wonderful memories for visitors.”

Construction of the 5,100-square-foot real ice and ice slide, operated by Indian Trail, N.C.-based Extreme Ice Center, is well under way. Located under a covered pavilion outside of zMAX Dragway, visitors can skate daily from Nov. 16 through Jan. 21. In addition to public skate times, Extreme Ice Center will arrange group lessons or private events.

Crews have spent the week setting up the 60-foot-by-85-foot rink and installing a temporary chiller system, which will pump 12,000 gallons of anti-freeze – cooled to 20 degrees – under the rink to keep the ice from melting.

Beginning Nov. 16, the Coca-Cola Family Ice Rink will be open Mondays-Fridays from 4 to 10 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. From Dec. 17-Jan. 1, the rink will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The rink will be closed on Christmas Day.

Admission is $12 per person. There is no charge for skate rentals. Anyone who presents a Coca-Cola product at the time of purchase will receive $2 off admission. For more information about group lessons or to schedule a private event, call Extreme Ice Center at 704-882-1830.

Speedway Christmas, featuring more than three million LED lights on a drive-through course winding from zMAX Dragway into the infield at the legendary 1.5-mile superspeedway, runs nightly from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Nov. 19 through Dec. 30. On Thursday through Sunday nights, Speedway Christmas visitors will find even more family entertainment with the Christmas Village in the speedway infield. The village includes marshmallow roasting, a festival of trees, photos with Santa, Bethlehem Village with live actors and animals, and so much more.

Admission to Speedway Christmas is $15 per car on nights the Christmas village is closed and $20 per car on nights the village is open. Group rates for tour buses and corporate sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information, visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call 1-800-455-FANS (3267).

For updates on the Coca-Cola Family Ice Rink, Speedway Christmas or any speedway activity, follow the track on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CLTMotorSpdwy or become a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/charlottemotorspeedway.